Tuesday, 29 November 2011
Saturday, 12 November 2011
Friday, 11 November 2011
PRE-PRODUCTION - Main Task - Initial Ideas
Our task is the construct a independent thriller 5 minute film including opening and end credits. As well as this we should produce either an A3 Film Poster, a magazine review of the film or a Radio trailer. Though we are still working on our own in this task, I have decide to with my friend Marc to work along side him to produce two films based on the same plot. We thought this would be a good idea as we have worked together on previous films over the past 2 years with good success. Especially with last years main task which we worked on together.
Our idea is too produce a film which focuses on a poker game between 4 people and the dealer. The aim of the game is to clear they're debt they have with the dealer. The winner walks away alive. We will be filming two separate films, from two rival players perceptive, each of them blame the other for their debt to the dealer. Marc is filming from the confident player who eventually loses perceptive, and I am filming from the relaxed winners.
We will come up with a character background for our own characters and be responsible for everything to do with them. But we will also come up with ideas for the other two players, and then agree on their background together. I liked the idea of filming a poker game in a thriller from watching a YouTube Video by the YouTube celebrity Freddie Wong, who is known for special effects and great editing skills. The video was of a card game, although short successful built up tension through clever editing and sound. I will go onto to research this fully further into the production planning.
The ending will be slightly different from each character, we will need to get across our own characters personalities to the audience, but also the plot of both of them. There will be some complex parts to this production. As we plan on doing some mirror shots, from each players view so I'll have to film say, my character drinking some water, and then Marc characters reaction to this. As well as other things. We will also have to come up with hands for each of the players. And show how the game plans out to who wins at the end. As well as show our own characters opinions of the other players in the game.
Our idea is too produce a film which focuses on a poker game between 4 people and the dealer. The aim of the game is to clear they're debt they have with the dealer. The winner walks away alive. We will be filming two separate films, from two rival players perceptive, each of them blame the other for their debt to the dealer. Marc is filming from the confident player who eventually loses perceptive, and I am filming from the relaxed winners.
We will come up with a character background for our own characters and be responsible for everything to do with them. But we will also come up with ideas for the other two players, and then agree on their background together. I liked the idea of filming a poker game in a thriller from watching a YouTube Video by the YouTube celebrity Freddie Wong, who is known for special effects and great editing skills. The video was of a card game, although short successful built up tension through clever editing and sound. I will go onto to research this fully further into the production planning.
The ending will be slightly different from each character, we will need to get across our own characters personalities to the audience, but also the plot of both of them. There will be some complex parts to this production. As we plan on doing some mirror shots, from each players view so I'll have to film say, my character drinking some water, and then Marc characters reaction to this. As well as other things. We will also have to come up with hands for each of the players. And show how the game plans out to who wins at the end. As well as show our own characters opinions of the other players in the game.
POST-PRODUCTION - Preliminary Evaluation
How effective is the combination of your main product and your film poster?
I feel my film and my poster do link reasonably well, the poster features my main character of my film. The themes are also similar, my film shows my main character Darren acting out of character and like another person, and my poster shows an attempt to hide is identity/who he really is or be someone else. my poster also uses one of the lines of dialogue from my film as a tag line. There are also however various things I could have added to my poster, such as links to the narrative and plot and maybe some more information concerning the character pictured.
I could also link to the setting. I did not as I couldn't use any still from my film, as none were really suitable for a poster and generally the whole idea that I had in mind. Despite this I am quite happy with my poster especially since I made it in a quite a short period of time.
What have you learned during the course of this project and what targets for improvement do you need to set for the main task?
I have learnt that converting the idea and what I visually saw in my head to an actually product is very difficult for me to do. I have learnt that more planning is needed to be successful in filming and shooting. I did think my filming went reasonably well, though it did take slightly longer than expected, causing it to get dark at the end of the film.
I thought my reseacrh was done quite well, I just may have needed to do more of it. This would have helped me later on. Although I am not too happy with my final film, as quite a few things didn't work out some shots didn't work, there are a few parts which I am pleased with.
I need to improve the amount of research I can do, and do some specific research which will help me in certain parts of my production, such as shots to use and character movement. I need to tidy up my editing, though my editing is pretty good when I have all the shots I want and I know what I'm doing.
I feel my film and my poster do link reasonably well, the poster features my main character of my film. The themes are also similar, my film shows my main character Darren acting out of character and like another person, and my poster shows an attempt to hide is identity/who he really is or be someone else. my poster also uses one of the lines of dialogue from my film as a tag line. There are also however various things I could have added to my poster, such as links to the narrative and plot and maybe some more information concerning the character pictured.
I could also link to the setting. I did not as I couldn't use any still from my film, as none were really suitable for a poster and generally the whole idea that I had in mind. Despite this I am quite happy with my poster especially since I made it in a quite a short period of time.
What have you learned during the course of this project and what targets for improvement do you need to set for the main task?
I have learnt that converting the idea and what I visually saw in my head to an actually product is very difficult for me to do. I have learnt that more planning is needed to be successful in filming and shooting. I did think my filming went reasonably well, though it did take slightly longer than expected, causing it to get dark at the end of the film.
I thought my reseacrh was done quite well, I just may have needed to do more of it. This would have helped me later on. Although I am not too happy with my final film, as quite a few things didn't work out some shots didn't work, there are a few parts which I am pleased with.
I need to improve the amount of research I can do, and do some specific research which will help me in certain parts of my production, such as shots to use and character movement. I need to tidy up my editing, though my editing is pretty good when I have all the shots I want and I know what I'm doing.
Thursday, 10 November 2011
POST-PRODUCTION - Preliminary Poster
I added some grungy background and lay over effects to make it more rustic almost like an old police station mug shot. I also think as well as looking good it adds some age to the poster. I include a line from the script, "Just One Reason" as I thought it would be a strong quote to use as the tag line for this production.
Wednesday, 5 October 2011
PRE-PRODUCTION - Preliminary Character Plot
Darren has taken hostage from his home another man whom he knows from work known as Terry. Terry has accidently killed his girlfriend in a car crash. Darren wants to take revenge on him for this. He takes him to a old shelter in the middle of nowhere. And questions him and generally shouts at him. He threatens him with various objects, until he eventually throws him to the floor and walks off. Sometime later he returns approaches Terry still lying on the floor and appears to kick him in the head just as the shot cuts to black.
Darren has a knife and a blind fold.
He is angry, frustrated and generally upset with his friend.
My character Darren relates to Propp's Character Theory in some way. If the film was part of a bigger movie, then Darren would be consider the Hero, as he is trying to bring justice to the death of his daughter. However in my film who could appear as a false hero, thinking he is doing the right thing by kinapping the man he thinks killed her. He acts out of character, and more like a villian as he threatens his friend with a knife and throws him to the floor.
Darren has a knife and a blind fold.
He is angry, frustrated and generally upset with his friend.
My character Darren relates to Propp's Character Theory in some way. If the film was part of a bigger movie, then Darren would be consider the Hero, as he is trying to bring justice to the death of his daughter. However in my film who could appear as a false hero, thinking he is doing the right thing by kinapping the man he thinks killed her. He acts out of character, and more like a villian as he threatens his friend with a knife and throws him to the floor.
PRE-PRODUCTION - Preliminary Shot List
Close Up - Body being dragged inside shelter.
POV - Blind fold removed, Terry looks around.
POV - Darren enters the scene.
High Angle CU - Of knife in Darren's hand.
Low Angle CU - Of Darren stepping towards Terry.
High Angle MS - Darren grabs Terry.
POV - Terry being grabbed. (Match on Action)
Ex CU - Darren puts knife to Terry's throat.
Close Up - Darren throws him to the floor.
POV - From Terry on the floor, Darren goes to pick up some wood.
Close Up - Of Darren picking up the wood (Match on Action)
POV - Back to Terry being threatened and shouted out.
POV - Terry lying on the floor in the dark.
Hand Held CU - You can see Darren come back behind the fence.
POV - Terry continued to me yelled at.
POV - Blind fold removed, Terry looks around.
POV - Darren enters the scene.
High Angle CU - Of knife in Darren's hand.
Low Angle CU - Of Darren stepping towards Terry.
High Angle MS - Darren grabs Terry.
POV - Terry being grabbed. (Match on Action)
Ex CU - Darren puts knife to Terry's throat.
Close Up - Darren throws him to the floor.
POV - From Terry on the floor, Darren goes to pick up some wood.
Close Up - Of Darren picking up the wood (Match on Action)
POV - Back to Terry being threatened and shouted out.
POV - Terry lying on the floor in the dark.
Hand Held CU - You can see Darren come back behind the fence.
POV - Terry continued to me yelled at.
PRE-PRODUCTION - Preliminary Script (Draft 2)
SCENE 1. ON BLACK
DARREN
(V.O.)
I'm going to ask you this again.
FADE IN
SCENE 2. EXT. ABANDONED FIELD-DAY
DARREN and TERRY are in a empty shelter in a field. The shelter. TERRY is blind folded and DARREN is holding a knife to the TERRY'S neck. The blind fold is removed to revealthis. He is shaking sweaty and generally in a rough state.
DARREN pushes TERRY to the floor angrily. DARREN shouts at TERRY. He lowers the knife and points at the TERRY with his other hand.
DARREN
I trusted you and you threw it all
back in my face! I thought I could
trust you! She thought she could
trust you!
DARREN paces up and down thinking. He grows angry and starts to cry he goes up to TERRY and grabs him by the shirt
DARREN
All you had to do was keep your
fucking mouth shut, and not get
involved in anything! It seems you
can't even manage that. I don't
even know what I should do with you
now.
DARREN crouches down and waves his gun in front of TERRY'S face.
DARREN
She was so young, you fucking
bastard! I feel like killing you
right now. Why should I show you
any mercy?! Gives us one reason.
Just one!
DARREN shakes his head and looks down at the ground. He walks out of the shelter. TERRY is left alone for some time. DARREN comes back into view and stands over TERRY and goes to kick him in the face
FADE TO BLACK
A loud noise can be herd and the scuffling of feet can be herd and the scuffling of feet.
FADE OUT
PRE-PRODUCTION - Preliminary Script (Draft 1)
SCENE 1. ON BLACK
DARREN is talking to an UNKNOWN MAN. He sounds annoyed and quite violent, but he is not shouting.
DARREN
(V.O.)
I'm going to ask you this again.
FADE IN
SCENE 2. EXT. ABANDONED FIELD-DAY
DARREN and an UNKNOWN MAN are in a empty field. There are few trees in the background and the ground is uneven and grassy. DARREN is holding a gun to the UNKNOWN MAN'S head. He is shaking.
DARREN
Where is she?!...Where have you
done to her?!
DARREN shouts at the UNKNOWN MAN. He lowers the gun and points at the UNKNOWN MAN with his other hand.
DARREN
I trusted you and you threw it all
back in my face! We thought we
could trust you.
DARREN paces up and down thinking.
DARREN
All you had to do was keep your
mouth shut, and not get involved in
anything. It seems you can't even
manage that. I don't even know what
to do now.
DARREN crouches down and waves his gun in front of the
UNKNOWN MAN'S face.
DARREN
I feel like killing you right now,
but that wouldn't be very
constructive. You got us in to this
god damn mess, so you can help us
get us out of it.
DARREN offers the UNKNOWN MAN a hand up, but as he is doing so. He is distracted by something in the distance. DARREN panics and runs off camera.
DARREN
What the hell!?....
FADE TO BLACK
An explosion can be herd and the scuffling of feet.
FADE OUT
DARREN is talking to an UNKNOWN MAN. He sounds annoyed and quite violent, but he is not shouting.
DARREN
(V.O.)
I'm going to ask you this again.
FADE IN
SCENE 2. EXT. ABANDONED FIELD-DAY
DARREN and an UNKNOWN MAN are in a empty field. There are few trees in the background and the ground is uneven and grassy. DARREN is holding a gun to the UNKNOWN MAN'S head. He is shaking.
DARREN
Where is she?!...Where have you
done to her?!
DARREN shouts at the UNKNOWN MAN. He lowers the gun and points at the UNKNOWN MAN with his other hand.
DARREN
I trusted you and you threw it all
back in my face! We thought we
could trust you.
DARREN paces up and down thinking.
DARREN
All you had to do was keep your
mouth shut, and not get involved in
anything. It seems you can't even
manage that. I don't even know what
to do now.
DARREN crouches down and waves his gun in front of the
UNKNOWN MAN'S face.
DARREN
I feel like killing you right now,
but that wouldn't be very
constructive. You got us in to this
god damn mess, so you can help us
get us out of it.
DARREN offers the UNKNOWN MAN a hand up, but as he is doing so. He is distracted by something in the distance. DARREN panics and runs off camera.
DARREN
What the hell!?....
FADE TO BLACK
An explosion can be herd and the scuffling of feet.
FADE OUT
SIMILAR PRODUCTS - Protagonist vs Antagonist
Primal Fear
Primal Fear is a 1996 Crime thriller staring Richard Gere and Edward Norton, and is directed by Gregory Hoblit. The film focuses around Martin Vail a Chicago defence attorney who trails to help a young stuttering altar boy known as Aaron Stampler who has been accused of murdering an archbishop. of which Vail believes to be innocent. This an interesting crime thriller to analyses the use of protagonists and antagonists, as the antagonist Stampler, is not known to be it until the end of the film, and thus is portrayed in a very interesting way.
Vail is the clear protagonist in the film however, we learn this because of his strong sense of character and his opinion on authority. For example he is determined to get hold of Stampler's case as soon as he sees him being arrested on the news. It shows he has a passion for his job. He also has a strange relationship with a the prosecutor known as Janet Venable as she is his former lover. His passion for his job and Stampler's case cause competitions between them both, of to whom can win the case with the best evidence and such.
Norton's character is a very interesting and he plays the role incredibly well in this film. To put it briefly Aaron's real name is Roy and he has been accused of the murder of the archbishop. Vail manages to find evidence of the archbishop using Stampler and Stampler's ex girlfriend in sexual videos, and he abused them regularly. It is revealed in one impressive scene that actually Aaron appears to have an alter ego named Roy who is angry and violent the complete opposite to the normal stuttering cowardly Aaron. He is diagnosed with a multiple personality disorder thought to have originated from child abuse. To appeal for insanity plea, they must show the court both sides oh his personality. They manage this and Roy/Aaron is declared no guilty due to mental insanity and is instead sent to a mental hospital. In the final scene it is revealed that Roy/Aaron is not actually insane, his split personality has been put on to get of trail. He reveals that Aaron was the made up person not Roy.
It interesting as Stampler throughout the whole film he is shown as innocent and vulnerable, so this twist at the end is a great shock to the audience. And does reveal that he is the antagonist of the film, the watchers could feel pity for Vail as he let him get away with it, or confusion.
Primal Fear is a 1996 Crime thriller staring Richard Gere and Edward Norton, and is directed by Gregory Hoblit. The film focuses around Martin Vail a Chicago defence attorney who trails to help a young stuttering altar boy known as Aaron Stampler who has been accused of murdering an archbishop. of which Vail believes to be innocent. This an interesting crime thriller to analyses the use of protagonists and antagonists, as the antagonist Stampler, is not known to be it until the end of the film, and thus is portrayed in a very interesting way.Vail is the clear protagonist in the film however, we learn this because of his strong sense of character and his opinion on authority. For example he is determined to get hold of Stampler's case as soon as he sees him being arrested on the news. It shows he has a passion for his job. He also has a strange relationship with a the prosecutor known as Janet Venable as she is his former lover. His passion for his job and Stampler's case cause competitions between them both, of to whom can win the case with the best evidence and such.
Norton's character is a very interesting and he plays the role incredibly well in this film. To put it briefly Aaron's real name is Roy and he has been accused of the murder of the archbishop. Vail manages to find evidence of the archbishop using Stampler and Stampler's ex girlfriend in sexual videos, and he abused them regularly. It is revealed in one impressive scene that actually Aaron appears to have an alter ego named Roy who is angry and violent the complete opposite to the normal stuttering cowardly Aaron. He is diagnosed with a multiple personality disorder thought to have originated from child abuse. To appeal for insanity plea, they must show the court both sides oh his personality. They manage this and Roy/Aaron is declared no guilty due to mental insanity and is instead sent to a mental hospital. In the final scene it is revealed that Roy/Aaron is not actually insane, his split personality has been put on to get of trail. He reveals that Aaron was the made up person not Roy.
It interesting as Stampler throughout the whole film he is shown as innocent and vulnerable, so this twist at the end is a great shock to the audience. And does reveal that he is the antagonist of the film, the watchers could feel pity for Vail as he let him get away with it, or confusion.
RESEARCH - Thriller Character Creation 2 (PART A)
Name: Darren Seifer
Alias: Sometimes referred to by last name
Age: 23
DOB: 25/04/????
Appearance: Quite Tall about 6ft . 12 stone. Reasonable build.
Hair Style: Brown, wind swept to the left. Quite rough
Facial Details: Dark brown eyes, strong Gaze, slight beard, small faint scar below right eye.
Hometown: Cambridge
Clothes: Cardigans, long coats occasionally, waist coats occasionally, Casual wear. Dark Red Converse, Jackets
Family Members: Mother & Father,
Family Members status: Both are alive, though he does not keep in contact with his mother. His parents are separated
Relations: Girlfriend 32 (Julia) (Killed in crash)
Personal Traits:
Home: Flat in London with his girlfriend.
Occupation: Comic artist. Ex policemen of small village.
Financial Status: Reasonably well off. Though he has had trouble at work
Hobbies:
Interests:
Emotional Being: Appears quite happy, mild depression. Quite angry at times
Will Power: Average
Dexterity/Physical Fitness: Quite fit and able, poor hearing in one ear.
Medical Conditions: Common Vertigo
Intelligence: Above average and well educated
Childhood Experiences: Parents occasional abandonment, death and disappearance of childhood friend. Rejection from various people in his life, had a few loses.
Morals:
Alias: Sometimes referred to by last name
Age: 23
DOB: 25/04/????
Appearance: Quite Tall about 6ft . 12 stone. Reasonable build.
Hair Style: Brown, wind swept to the left. Quite rough
Facial Details: Dark brown eyes, strong Gaze, slight beard, small faint scar below right eye.
Hometown: Cambridge
Clothes: Cardigans, long coats occasionally, waist coats occasionally, Casual wear. Dark Red Converse, Jackets
Family Members: Mother & Father,
Family Members status: Both are alive, though he does not keep in contact with his mother. His parents are separated
Relations: Girlfriend 32 (Julia) (Killed in crash)
Personal Traits:
- Determined.
- Quite troubled.
- Can be cold.
- Hard working.
- Concerned only for his and his girlfriends safety.
- Speaks his mind.
- Doesn' like to to get too attached to people
- Rushes into things and is generally hasty
- Can be aggressive when stresses
- Easily annoyed by people he doesn't know
- Rash Attitude
Home: Flat in London with his girlfriend.
Occupation: Comic artist. Ex policemen of small village.
Financial Status: Reasonably well off. Though he has had trouble at work
Hobbies:
- Blogging
- Bus Hopping
- Photography
- Cooking
Interests:
- Reading
- Sci-Fi films
- Camping
- Drawing
Emotional Being: Appears quite happy, mild depression. Quite angry at times
Will Power: Average
Dexterity/Physical Fitness: Quite fit and able, poor hearing in one ear.
Medical Conditions: Common Vertigo
Intelligence: Above average and well educated
Childhood Experiences: Parents occasional abandonment, death and disappearance of childhood friend. Rejection from various people in his life, had a few loses.
Morals:
- Take what you want give nothing back.
- Why waste your time thinking about a problem, when you can do something about it.
- Don't ask to many questions, just live your life they way you want to.
- Stick it to the man.
- Read between the lines.
Monday, 5 September 2011
RESEARCH - Thriller Character Creation (PART A)
Name: Darren Seifer
Alias: Sometimes referred to by last name
Age: 38
DOB: 25/04/????
Appearance: Tall about 6ft 2. 12 stone. Reasonable build.
Hair Style: Black, wind swept to the left. Quite rough
Facial Details: Dark brown eyes, strong Gaze, slight stubble, small faint scar below right eye.
Hometown: Cambridge
Clothes: Suits, long coats occasionally, waist coats occasionally, Casual wear. Dark Red Converse
Family Members: Two grandparents. Mother & Father, Uncle and no siblings
Family Members status: Grandparents assumed alive. Mother dead (Known) Father alive (Assumed dead) Uncle alive (Prison)
Relations: Girlfriend 32 (Julia)
Personal Traits:
Home: Flat in London with his girlfriend.
Occupation: Comic artist. Ex policemen of small village.
Financial Status: Reasonably well off.
Hobbies:
Interests:
Emotional Being: Appears quite happy, mild depression.
Will Power: Average
Dexterity/Physical Fitness: Quite fit and able, poor hearing in one ear.
Medical Conditions: Common Vertigo
Intelligence: Average
Childhood Experiences: Parents occasional abandonment, death and disappearance of childhood friend. Rejection from education.
Morals:
Alias: Sometimes referred to by last name
Age: 38
DOB: 25/04/????
Appearance: Tall about 6ft 2. 12 stone. Reasonable build.
Hair Style: Black, wind swept to the left. Quite rough
Facial Details: Dark brown eyes, strong Gaze, slight stubble, small faint scar below right eye.
Hometown: Cambridge
Clothes: Suits, long coats occasionally, waist coats occasionally, Casual wear. Dark Red Converse
Family Members: Two grandparents. Mother & Father, Uncle and no siblings
Family Members status: Grandparents assumed alive. Mother dead (Known) Father alive (Assumed dead) Uncle alive (Prison)
Relations: Girlfriend 32 (Julia)
Personal Traits:
- Determined.
- Quite troubled.
- Can be cold.
- Hard working.
- Concerned only for his and his girlfriends safety.
- Speaks his mind.
- Doesn' like to to get too attached to people
- Cold at first, friendly when you get to know him.
- Can be aggressive when stresses
- Easily annoyed by people he doesn't know
- Dislikes power hungry superiors
Home: Flat in London with his girlfriend.
Occupation: Comic artist. Ex policemen of small village.
Financial Status: Reasonably well off.
Hobbies:
- Blogging
- Bus Hopping
- Photography
- Cooking
Interests:
- Reading
- Sci-Fi films
- Retro gaming
- Camping
Emotional Being: Appears quite happy, mild depression.
Will Power: Average
Dexterity/Physical Fitness: Quite fit and able, poor hearing in one ear.
Medical Conditions: Common Vertigo
Intelligence: Average
Childhood Experiences: Parents occasional abandonment, death and disappearance of childhood friend. Rejection from education.
Morals:
- Take what you want give nothing back.
- Why waste your time thinking about a problem, when you can do something about it.
- Don't ask to many questions, just live your life they way you want to.
- Stick it to the man.
- Read between the lines.
Similar Products - Task Three (Character Analysis)
Vertigo - John "Scottie" Ferguson
John Ferguson is the main character from 1958 Hitchcock Psychological thriller "Vertigo" He is a troubled retired detective, with acrophobia (Fear of heights) which can be seen in the above scene. In the film he retires as a detective after his acrophobia leads to the death of another officer. So this establishes a troubled b-ackground to the film. He then lives with his ex fiancee and tries to find a way to get over his fear with little luck. He is introduced to a Madeleine Elster who is apparently possessed. After tailing her for a day, he comes to the conclusion that she is being possessed by her great-grandmother who committed suicide. She then tries to kill her self by by jumping in a bay. He saves her from the bay.
John then becomes attracted to her and this eventually results in Madeleine and himself confess their love to each other. However she then throws her self of a church tower and dies. John's experiences vertigo due to his phobia and fails to save her.
From this you establish that Scottie's is very troubled, but however caring and kind. After the death of Madeleine, he becomes depressed and mute, and sent to a Sanatorium. Where he then experience hallucinations and vivid nightmares. He later meets a woman who looks like Madeleine, he stalks this woman to her hotel where she exclaims that she is Judy and not Madeleine. (It is then revealed that she is actually Madeleine and her suicide was staged). This then leads to a change in Scottie's character he develops a relationship with this Judy and makes her look more like Madeleine. She reveals her real identity as Madeleine to him at the same place she framed her death. And then dies in the same way as she did the first way, accidentally.Characteristics
-Loyal, he remains friends with his ex fiancee though out the film. He also loves Madeleine despite what happens.
-Obsessiveness over Madeleine he makes Judy into Madeleine before she is revealed to be Madeleine
-Kind, he agrees to help the apparently possessed girl he's never met. Worried about her committing suicide
-Depressive, after Madeleine kills herself, this effects him so much he experiences nightmares, goes mute, and stalk the places where Madeleine used to go. This also shows his loyalty and obsessiveness.
-Clever, establishing what is wrong with Madeleine.
Ethics and Morals
-He is very embarrassed by his acrophobia enough so to retire.
-He feels a lot of responsibility to others.
On screen he is mainly portrayed as a kind, caring character, but he is also shown having quite weak will power. Mainly pulled down by his acrophobia. Towards the end of the film he becomes strong willed and overcomes his fear. While he has some conventions of a thriller character he also has some which don't fit in. The depression period he experiences is unusual for a main protagonist as well as his obsession over Madeleine.
Similar Products - Silence Of The Lambs Analysis
Why does "The Silence of the Lambs" belong in the Thriller category?
"The silence of the lambs" is an 1991 american psychological/crime thriller. It features two main characters, Dr. Hannibal (The Cannibal) Lecktor (Played by Anthony Tompkins) and Clarice Starling a Trainee FIB special agent (Played by Jodie Foster) The film is the second film to feature Hannibal the Cannibal, the first being the 1986 successful thriller Manhunter; though this is not a sequel.
The Plot is quite typical of the Thriller genre, Foster's character Clarice is pulled from her training to interview, the cannibal and former psychiatrist Dr Hannibal Lecktor. With hope that he could give information and aid the capture of another serial killer known as "Buffalo Bill". This is our first reference to the Thriller genre, as crime is a comment element in the plots of Thrillers, and more specifically serial killers in Crime Thrillers. The plot in my opinion has two angles. The interview and escape of Dr. Hannibal I would consider to be the main plot, whereas the capture and investigation into "Buffalo Bill" is a sub plot to support this. I could be argued that its the other way around, but since Hannibal's relationship to Clarice is shown at the beginning and the end of the film I would consider this more important.
Typically of crime and psychological thrillers, the plot is rather complex and difficult to follow unless you have your full attention on the movie. Important information concerning the plot is all over the film and can sometimes be rather easy to miss. It contains clever twists towards the end, and unexpected events to keep the movie interesting and of high tension. Which a good thriller should have. The plot is mainly explained though dialogue, but there are also scenes of action and suspense. While the dialogue and script keeps the thriller complex, clever and interesting. The action and suspense keeps it engaging and exciting. There is a lot of tension in this film.
Tension is created in several ways. First being the music, it is mainly eerie, which can be seen at the beginning. And also piano pieces are used which is in the scene below. The lightning is also mainly low key through out the film, more so when Clarice finds Buffalo Bill.
The film also features gore and death, a very common element of thriller films. This can be seen when Hannibal kills the two guards and hangs up one of the bodies. He also cuts of one of their faces and uses it as a mask. The serial killer Buffalo Bill also trying to make a woman suit out of skin and parts of women he has killed by making the tension in the skin lesson with lotion. This is done to both shock the audience and keep them interested in the movie and discover the reason behind these things. The moth on the film poster and cover has a skull on it symbolizing death.
The two main characters also suit the thriller genre quite well. Clarice Starling is a trainee special agent for the FBI, a very suitable thriller main protagonist occupation. She is an independent woman, who appears to have a lot of aspiration to achieve. Like the main character in most thrillers, she is alone in the film. She also has a troubled background, which she reveals to Hannibal when interviewing him. Her father was shot, and she then runs away from her new home after witnessing some lambs being slaughtered (The origin of the films title.) She then lives in an orphanage. Troubled backgrounds again is a convention of thriller characters. She is also a strong character she manages to resist Hannibal's clever manipulation and also defeats the serial killer "Buffalo Bill" in a dark basement and manages to hold her nerve. She is a good example of a thriller protagonist the only unusual factor about her character is that she is female, which isn't very common in thrillers and she also has a quite innocent appearance. However Hannibal would not be interviewed if this was not so.
Dr. Hannibal Lecktor is a very unusual character in the films, but is also very conventional. As he is one of the antagonist, but also has a supporting protagonist role in this film. (You can say this as he does help to assist Starling in the capture of Buffalo Bill). Hannibal is a serial killer and well known criminal. He is consider highly dangerous and feared by many. His character is also very intelligent and manipulative another common convention of antagonists. He has a very significant impact on Starling after there first interview. His killer instinct and intelligence can be seen in this scene.
In my overall opinion this is a very good thriller film. It is engaging, clever and eerie and has a great sense of mystery behind Hannibal's character. The film is a good example of a thriller and also a crime film. As the story is plausible and based of real murders, and serial killers. It characters for me define this film as a thriller the most, and the music and plot supports this.
"The silence of the lambs" is an 1991 american psychological/crime thriller. It features two main characters, Dr. Hannibal (The Cannibal) Lecktor (Played by Anthony Tompkins) and Clarice Starling a Trainee FIB special agent (Played by Jodie Foster) The film is the second film to feature Hannibal the Cannibal, the first being the 1986 successful thriller Manhunter; though this is not a sequel.The Plot is quite typical of the Thriller genre, Foster's character Clarice is pulled from her training to interview, the cannibal and former psychiatrist Dr Hannibal Lecktor. With hope that he could give information and aid the capture of another serial killer known as "Buffalo Bill". This is our first reference to the Thriller genre, as crime is a comment element in the plots of Thrillers, and more specifically serial killers in Crime Thrillers. The plot in my opinion has two angles. The interview and escape of Dr. Hannibal I would consider to be the main plot, whereas the capture and investigation into "Buffalo Bill" is a sub plot to support this. I could be argued that its the other way around, but since Hannibal's relationship to Clarice is shown at the beginning and the end of the film I would consider this more important.
Typically of crime and psychological thrillers, the plot is rather complex and difficult to follow unless you have your full attention on the movie. Important information concerning the plot is all over the film and can sometimes be rather easy to miss. It contains clever twists towards the end, and unexpected events to keep the movie interesting and of high tension. Which a good thriller should have. The plot is mainly explained though dialogue, but there are also scenes of action and suspense. While the dialogue and script keeps the thriller complex, clever and interesting. The action and suspense keeps it engaging and exciting. There is a lot of tension in this film.
Tension is created in several ways. First being the music, it is mainly eerie, which can be seen at the beginning. And also piano pieces are used which is in the scene below. The lightning is also mainly low key through out the film, more so when Clarice finds Buffalo Bill.The film also features gore and death, a very common element of thriller films. This can be seen when Hannibal kills the two guards and hangs up one of the bodies. He also cuts of one of their faces and uses it as a mask. The serial killer Buffalo Bill also trying to make a woman suit out of skin and parts of women he has killed by making the tension in the skin lesson with lotion. This is done to both shock the audience and keep them interested in the movie and discover the reason behind these things. The moth on the film poster and cover has a skull on it symbolizing death.
The two main characters also suit the thriller genre quite well. Clarice Starling is a trainee special agent for the FBI, a very suitable thriller main protagonist occupation. She is an independent woman, who appears to have a lot of aspiration to achieve. Like the main character in most thrillers, she is alone in the film. She also has a troubled background, which she reveals to Hannibal when interviewing him. Her father was shot, and she then runs away from her new home after witnessing some lambs being slaughtered (The origin of the films title.) She then lives in an orphanage. Troubled backgrounds again is a convention of thriller characters. She is also a strong character she manages to resist Hannibal's clever manipulation and also defeats the serial killer "Buffalo Bill" in a dark basement and manages to hold her nerve. She is a good example of a thriller protagonist the only unusual factor about her character is that she is female, which isn't very common in thrillers and she also has a quite innocent appearance. However Hannibal would not be interviewed if this was not so.Dr. Hannibal Lecktor is a very unusual character in the films, but is also very conventional. As he is one of the antagonist, but also has a supporting protagonist role in this film. (You can say this as he does help to assist Starling in the capture of Buffalo Bill). Hannibal is a serial killer and well known criminal. He is consider highly dangerous and feared by many. His character is also very intelligent and manipulative another common convention of antagonists. He has a very significant impact on Starling after there first interview. His killer instinct and intelligence can be seen in this scene.
In my overall opinion this is a very good thriller film. It is engaging, clever and eerie and has a great sense of mystery behind Hannibal's character. The film is a good example of a thriller and also a crime film. As the story is plausible and based of real murders, and serial killers. It characters for me define this film as a thriller the most, and the music and plot supports this.
Sunday, 3 July 2011
Similar Products - History of Thriller
Before showing what the history of thriller films is, it is important to actually define the genre; and to give is a better understanding of what makes a thriller film. Thrillers normally are full of mystery, uncertainty and suspense and excitement. Despite the traits thrillers can also be quite slow paced and intellectual, leaving the audience on a cliff hanger. There is typically a large build up to a climax which can be seen in most films. Due to this thrillers are very close to horror films creating tension and suspense, but unlike horrors not fear.
The plot of a thriller will normally involve crime, corruption, homicide and conspiracy. They will revolve around one normally troubled character trying to solve a problem. The genre also has many hybrids such as.
-Action/Adventure Thrillers
-Crime Thrillers
-Film Noir Thrillers
-Political Thrillers
-Psychological Thrillers
-Techno Thrillers
-Supernatural Thrillers
-Sci Fi Thrillers
Early films to be considered thrillers were silent movies such as, The Lodger (Alfred Hitchcock, who went on to make make many more famous thrillers) The Bat (Inspiration for Batman) and the German, Spione (Spies). This was the introduction of early thriller and the genre was not still in early development.
The next most note able thriller was another German film 'M' (1931) Another film directed by Lang (Spies) which was his first sound film. It features a serial child killer. As crime began to emerge into thrillers more. Other films of the 30s were films such as Number 17 (Hitchcock) which was about some jewelry thieves. The Drive by Night (1938) which is about urder of a young woman.
The 40s saw a large increase in thriller films, and mainly those of a psychological nature. Hitckcock's Rebecca, Suspicion, Shadow of a Doubt, Spellbound and Rope. Which involved things such as mental asylums, serial killers and madness. The 40s also saw the immersion of some french thrillers such as Le Crobeau (1943). Many of these films were made due to the popularity of film noir at the time. Fritz Lang was now directing more american films instead of German ones.
The 50s and early 60s continued to be dominated by Hitchcock, as he produced the famous Rear Window, Vertigo and North by Northwest, and then Psycho in 1960. During these decades there were only really Psychological thrillers, political thrillers and crime thrillers. Other note able films would be Invasion of the Body Snatchers one of the first sci fi thrillers.
The 70s brought bigger block busters and more hybrid genres. Such as Jaws which was about a shark is one of the most famous films of all time. Others such as The Godfather and Carrie are more examples of this being a Gangster thriller and a Horror thriller. Director Brain De Palma also emerged and produced films such as sisters (About some murdering Siamese twins). The 70s also brought an increase in European thrillers such as French, Italian, Spanish and German films. Invasion of the Body Snatchers remake (1978) saw a movement into increasing science fiction thrillers.
The 80s saw more hybrids such as The Shining (Horror Thriller) and Aliens (Science Fiction Thriller). the shining could also be considered a psychological thriller. And is a good example of thriller horror cross over. Also lead to more famous Stephen King based horror thrillers films.
90s saw films like, Die Hard 2, Point Break, Speed and other action thrillers. Also films like The silence of the Lambs. It's here were true pure thrillers started to diminish and action thrillers came to dominate, this may be due to a change of audience interest. Despite this famous crime thrillers such as Se7en and Primal Fear were made. The sixth sense was also a very successful supernatural thriller.
The Bourne Series and Blade series brought more crime,action and horror thrillers in the 00s. famous thrillers such as Phone Booth, Momento and The Butterfly Effect and Sin City were also released. These newer films are very different to the older films of the 40s. Excitement and action was in greater demand as the audience for cinema was expanding into younger age groups.
The plot of a thriller will normally involve crime, corruption, homicide and conspiracy. They will revolve around one normally troubled character trying to solve a problem. The genre also has many hybrids such as.
-Action/Adventure Thrillers
-Crime Thrillers
-Film Noir Thrillers
-Political Thrillers
-Psychological Thrillers
-Techno Thrillers
-Supernatural Thrillers
-Sci Fi Thrillers
Early films to be considered thrillers were silent movies such as, The Lodger (Alfred Hitchcock, who went on to make make many more famous thrillers) The Bat (Inspiration for Batman) and the German, Spione (Spies). This was the introduction of early thriller and the genre was not still in early development.The next most note able thriller was another German film 'M' (1931) Another film directed by Lang (Spies) which was his first sound film. It features a serial child killer. As crime began to emerge into thrillers more. Other films of the 30s were films such as Number 17 (Hitchcock) which was about some jewelry thieves. The Drive by Night (1938) which is about urder of a young woman.
The 40s saw a large increase in thriller films, and mainly those of a psychological nature. Hitckcock's Rebecca, Suspicion, Shadow of a Doubt, Spellbound and Rope. Which involved things such as mental asylums, serial killers and madness. The 40s also saw the immersion of some french thrillers such as Le Crobeau (1943). Many of these films were made due to the popularity of film noir at the time. Fritz Lang was now directing more american films instead of German ones. The 50s and early 60s continued to be dominated by Hitchcock, as he produced the famous Rear Window, Vertigo and North by Northwest, and then Psycho in 1960. During these decades there were only really Psychological thrillers, political thrillers and crime thrillers. Other note able films would be Invasion of the Body Snatchers one of the first sci fi thrillers.
The 70s brought bigger block busters and more hybrid genres. Such as Jaws which was about a shark is one of the most famous films of all time. Others such as The Godfather and Carrie are more examples of this being a Gangster thriller and a Horror thriller. Director Brain De Palma also emerged and produced films such as sisters (About some murdering Siamese twins). The 70s also brought an increase in European thrillers such as French, Italian, Spanish and German films. Invasion of the Body Snatchers remake (1978) saw a movement into increasing science fiction thrillers.
The 80s saw more hybrids such as The Shining (Horror Thriller) and Aliens (Science Fiction Thriller). the shining could also be considered a psychological thriller. And is a good example of thriller horror cross over. Also lead to more famous Stephen King based horror thrillers films.90s saw films like, Die Hard 2, Point Break, Speed and other action thrillers. Also films like The silence of the Lambs. It's here were true pure thrillers started to diminish and action thrillers came to dominate, this may be due to a change of audience interest. Despite this famous crime thrillers such as Se7en and Primal Fear were made. The sixth sense was also a very successful supernatural thriller.
The Bourne Series and Blade series brought more crime,action and horror thrillers in the 00s. famous thrillers such as Phone Booth, Momento and The Butterfly Effect and Sin City were also released. These newer films are very different to the older films of the 40s. Excitement and action was in greater demand as the audience for cinema was expanding into younger age groups.
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